thefarshore | [video]

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[video]

From: Archer
Date: October 4th late afternoon

[For those familiar with him, Archer's expression is completely blank. There's no frown, or typical sarcastic smirk. When he speaks, his voice is calm and rather detached with underlying coldness.]

Caster is gone.

His temple and the names he bestowed are still here, so he's going to be back. Be aware that he's not going to remember any of you, or anything that happened during his stay here. If my research is wrong feel free to correct me, but that's based on the knowledge I gathered so far.

[Here he pauses slightly and his eyes flicker off-screen.]

I'm still trying to piece together what happened, if anyone comes forward to shed some light on the events that transpired, you will have my gratitude.

[Archer narrows his eyes, for the first time his expression changes slightly.]

If you want to punch him for being an idiot you have to get in line.

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[Mai had never paled so much as she did the moment she overheard the broadcast. Her body felt numb. She kept waiting for there to be a catch of some kind, but...]

What...happened?

Thanks you. That's a very generous offer.

Does doing something stupidly heroic and getting killed count?

Caster did something stupidly heroic and got himself killed.

[Archer didn't sugarcoat things. He looked calm and collected, but that's only because of a long practice.]

He's something of a friend, to me and my Goddess.

[There might be a hint of smirk too.]

That might count. Mostly for the stupid part.

Yes, he is.

[This is going to get awkward. Archer remembers that he joined Futaba for the temple raid, but the rest is a bit vague.]

[Archer is touched by that note of concern. His reply is less stiff and formal.]

Thank you. It indeed is.

[Then can join the club. After all, Archer has seen her handiwork on Hakkai and approved.]

How are you doing?

I see.

[Archer is still keeping his face mostly blank.]

He has a whole history of bad choices.

[His response makes her smile a little bit. In her opinion, he's a good man who doesn't deserve to be put through this turmoil by his god. It's so irritating how some gods seem to just assume they're allowed to do whatever they want without repercussions they have no control over.]

I've been better but I've also been worse.

[And he's been present during some of those worse moments, surprisingly enough. It's part of why she appreciates him so much. He's a good friend.]

I left Hakkai and I'm between gods now. I tried to go it alone for a while and it was working pretty well, all things considered, until that mess with the rifts and ayakashi rampaging about. One of them opened up right where I was staying and it affected me.

[By leaving her so tranquilized that she couldn't feel anything but peace.]

I couldn't fight or protect myself at all. But it worked out fine in the end. Some other friends of mine rescued me and took me somewhere safe. I'm staying with one of them now. I'm still a little shaken but I'm much better off than I have been lately.

The offer is there, if you want assistance. Feel free to be in touch anyway, if you want. We're all kind of in this together, right?

[The last comment is noticed, but doesn't need much response. Well...not 'much' response.]

Let me know when the line for punching him is open, alright?

You need to be taken care of too.

[She answers back.]

[For a long moment Archer stares at her completely stunned. Finally he shakes it off and rubs his neck. He doesn't need to be taken care of, it's his role to care for the others.]

I'll be fine.

Yes, you will be. But right now, you aren’t.

[His expression said enough.]

...Have you eaten?

[Guilty as charged. Archer's not going to argue, though.]

I have. Lancer insisted on a lunch. He's stubborn enough to force-feed me if I refused. [which he didn't, but it's just going through the motions.]

[That was...actually the best way for Mai to be told news like this. Straight to the point. Focusing on the facts. Unbelievable as they were.]

No, that's...

[Except Archer wouldn't lie to her. Not about something like this. Not after making such an announcement. She believed he was telling the truth...it was just the truth she struggled with, eyes betraying her conflicted confusion.]

But he's a god. How...could someone kill him?

As easily as you kill any living being. Despite all that we're told about our new roles we're still mortal.

[It's vague enough, since Archer doesn't have full memories of how and what exactly did happen.]

[She knew that. ...did she know that? She felt like she must have known, only to brush the thought to the furthest part of her mind because she never thought it would happen. Not to someone she knew. Not so soon.]

And you're sure...he'll be back. Only...without his memories.

[He wouldn't remember her. If that were true.]

But he'll otherwise be okay?

I think so. If he was gone then his temple and the names would be gone. Some of those killed here return, with their memories gone.

[That's what Archer gathered from the scarce information available. He's not sure that Caster would be back, he certainly hopes so. However, hope was a very fleeting thing, and Archer didn't trust neither fate nor luck. All that he could do was to wait.]

[Depending on the view, and how perceptive Archer is, he'll hear soft footsteps. Soon revealing Mai's own shinki coming to hover nearby. Just providing silent support and comfort to his Goddess, since he knows she was closer to Caster than he was.]

...Did he die while you were helping me?

[Goten just frowns at the screen. He's not really that upset with Archer or blames him for Kuu's death. No. He's just sad his friend died and his memories are going to be gone. At least, he's coming back though...]

Mmm....we can work together then. Maybe we can help him remember faster.

He was taking part in it.

[Archer isn't letting Futaba blame herself for something that was not her fault.]

[There would be a length pause before her next response. Trunks was near her now, whether or not Archer would be able to see that. And his presence did help. Some. Not just on the outside, although she appeared calmer when she lifted her head and spoke again.]

Then he won't remember dying.

[An assumption. But it was something she had to focus on. The positive in the face of such an overwhelming negative. It was like Trunks not remembering her, in a way. She'd managed to convince herself then that it was a good thing. That not remembering meant not remembering the bad, either. She could...live with that.]

We'll just...have to meet again. When he comes back.

That's good.

[At least Lancer got him to eat.]

Do you want to sit down? Or maybe go for a walk?

[She knew he was there. At least. she processed that he was there. A familiar presence. Comforting. Even in spite of the fact that she had gone through a very similar moment when they'd first arrived.]

[But that was then and this was now and she had to pause for breath before replying to Archer's latest message and the fact that Trunks was here really did help because it was a reminder that, even without memories, friendships could always form again.]

...I'm okay.

[She might not have sounded okay, but it was for the both of them.]

I'll be okay.

[Reaching out his hand, resting it on her shoulder, and offering what he hopes is a comforting smile.]

I know you will. But I'm here anyway.

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